ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from hereditary hyperlipidemia have a high risk for premature cardiovascular disease and death as a consequence of accelerated atherosclerosis. PURPOSE: To prospectively and intra-individually compare image quality and detectability of stenoses in contrast enhanced whole-body MRA (WBMRA) at 1.5 and 3 Tesla (T) in patients with hereditary hyperlipidemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with hereditary hyperlipidemia received a 1.5 and 3 T gadopentetate dimeglumine contrast-enhanced WBMRA. Twenty-three defined arterial segments were analyzed regarding depiction of target vessels and image quality according to a 5-point-scale ('not evaluable' to 'excellent'). Wilcoxon matched pair test was performed for comparison. Forty-three defined arterial segments were analyzed for the degree of stenosis (0%, 1-49%, 50-99% and 100%) as well as vessel alterations such as aneurysms. Chi-square test was performed for comparison. RESULTS: 1.5 T and 3 T scans yielded WBMRA with diagnostic quality in all patients. In seven of 23 arterial segments (30.4%) image quality was rated significantly higher at 3 T, whereas there was no significant difference in the remaining 16 segments between WBMRA at 1.5 T and 3 T. All relevant stenoses (n = 5), occlusions (n = 6), and aneurysms (n = 3) were evaluated similarly at both field strengths. CONCLUSION: WBMRA can be performed at 1.5 T and 3 T with diagnostic image quality. Image quality was significantly higher at 3 T than at 1.5 T in only 30.4% of the arterial segments. In order to effectively take advantage of the higher field strength, further optimization of sequence parameters and injection protocols for WBMRA at 3 T is necessary.
Subject(s)
Arterial Occlusive Diseases/diagnosis , Hyperlipidemias/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Adult , Aged , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/genetics , Chi-Square Distribution , Contrast Media , Female , Gadolinium DTPA , Genotype , Humans , Hyperlipidemias/genetics , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Statistics, Nonparametric , Whole Body ImagingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the diagnostic detectability of the intracranial vasculature on contrast-enhanced whole-body magnetic resonance angiographic (WBMRA) scans at 1.5 versus 3 T. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with hereditary hyperlipidemia participated. Two experienced neuroradiologists scored the image quality regarding the intracranial arteries applying a 5-point scale. Stenoses and other findings were documented. Weighted κ-statistics were calculated to assess interobserver agreement. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was very good. Image quality scoring resulted in the following mean values: 3.0 at 1.5 T versus 3.9 at 3 T (P < 0.001). Venous contrast overlay and insufficient anatomic coverage occurred in both groups. Three stenoses were found at both field strengths. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the intracranial vasculature on WBMRA data is basically feasible; image quality at 3 T seems superior. Shortcomings appear because of venous contamination and insufficient volume coverage. Therefore, adding a dedicated intracranial MRA to a WBMRA protocol would substantially increase diagnostic certainty.
